Rs 30,000 bribe sting exposes Rs 4 crore cash hoard, gold & luxury house of Odisha mines officer
Times of India
by DEBABRATA MOHAPATRAFebruary 25, 2026
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Odisha Vigilance officials made a significant bust in their fight against corruption by arresting a mines official who was allegedly caught accepting a Rs 30,000 bribe. During a sting operation, Debabrata Mohanty, the deputy director of mines in Cuttack, was arrested for demanding the bribe from a coal vendor in exchange for facilitating coal depot operations and granting transport permission. Following his arrest, officials conducted searches at his residence and office, uncovering an astonishing Rs 4 crore in unaccounted cash hidden in trolley bags and almirahs. Additionally, they seized around 130 grams of gold and a palatial double-storey building in Pahala, Bhubaneswar.
The case marks the highest-ever cash seizure in a trap operation in Odisha, raising questions about how such large sums of money could be amassed by a government official. Investigators are now examining the source of the seized wealth and exploring potential links to other irregularities. Mohanty’s arrest and the subsequent recovery of assets highlight the ongoing challenges in combating corruption within public institutions.
This case is significant not only for Odisha but also on a global scale, as it underscores the importance of vigilance in ensuring transparency and accountability among government officials. The seizure of such substantial amounts of cash and luxury assets suggests a deeper systemic issue within the mining sector and calls for stronger anti-corruption measures. As investigations continue, the case sets a precedent for holding public servants accountable and reinforces the need for robust oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse of power.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/25/2026